TERRORIST GROUPS
Gulf Cartel
( AS OF SEPTEMBER 2025 )
OVERVIEW
The Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico’s oldest cartels and smuggles cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana into the United States. The group was founded in 1984 and peaked in the early 2000s before it fractured after its then-leader was arrested in 2003.
Since the early 2000s, the Gulf Cartel has been plagued by internal conflict, law enforcement pressure, and conflict with rival cartels. As of 2025, the Gulf Cartel has three rival factions: Los Escorpiones, whose leader was captured by Mexican authorities in January 2024; Los Metros; and Los Ciclones. Los Escorpiones is the Gulf Cartel’s armed wing and battles with the Northeast Cartel and Los Ciclones and Los Metros for territorial control of Reynosa and Tamaulipas. Los Metros has allied with the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) to protect itself from the Sinaloa Cartel, Northeast Cartel, and Los Escorpiones and LosMetros. Los Ciclones fights Los Metros and the Northeast Cartel.
OPERATING AREAS
Primarily in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas, Mexico; more limited presence in Jalisco and Tabasco, Mexico; operates in at least 16 US states
MEMBERS
Unknown
TACTICS AND TARGETS
The Gulf Cartel uses various tactics—including hidden compartments in vehicles, tunnels, and bribery of officials—to smuggle arms, drugs, fuel, and money into the United States. The cartel is involved in migrant smuggling and trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and violence, including assassinating civilians and Mexican Government officials.
TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated the Gulf Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization and a Specially Designated Foreign Terrorist entity in February 2025.
KEY LEADERS
Cesar Morfin-Morfin
a.k.a. Primito
Los Metros leader
Sanctioned by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for being involved in drug trafficking and fuel theft for CJNG
Remigio Morfin-Morfin
a.k.a. Remi
Brother and second- or third-in-command to Primito
Sanctioned by OFAC for being involved in drug trafficking and fuel theft
Alvaro Noe Morfin-Morfin
a.k.a. R8
Los Metros senior lieutenant
Sanctioned by OFAC for being involved in drug trafficking and fuel theft
Jose Cardenas Martinez
a.k.a. Contador
Los Ciclones leader
Jose Alberto Garcia Vilano [DETAINED]
a.k.a. La Kena
Former leader of Los Escorpiones and Los Ciclones
NOTABLE ATTACKS
August 2025
Tamaulipas, Mexico
Los Metros faction assassinates a Mexican Attorney General Office delegate.
March 2023
Matamoros, Mexico
Los Escorpiones faction kidnaps four US persons, killing two. Afterward, the Gulf Cartel hands over to Mexican authorities five alleged members who the cartel claims were involved in the kidnapping.